Bill fold and coin holder



March 29, 1966 M. WILNER 3,242,930

BILL FOLD AND COIN HOLDER Filed Nov. 18, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.dlyea/v 4. l V/ZA/E/Z March 29, 1966 M. 1.. WILNER 39mm BILL FOLD ANDCOIN HOLDER Filed Nov. 18, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WyZm/ A 14/4M58 United States Patent 3,242,930 BILL FOLD AND CQIN HOLDER Myron L.Wilner, 353 Leonard St., Brooklyn, NY. Filed Nov. 18, 1963, Ser. No.324,581 6 Claims. (Cl. 133-6) The present invention relates to acombination bill fold and coin holder.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a highlynovel combination bill fold and coin holder of attractive compact-typeappearance which can be manufactured and sold at a relatively low cost.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an article ofthe described type in which the coin holder is utilized as the means formounting the bill fold.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an article ofthe described type in which the coin holder is provided with a pluralityof coin wells from each of which the respective coins may be readilyindividually dispersed having provision for the replenishment of thecoins in the respective wells through the utilization of a structurewhich guides and cams the coins into the wells.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article ofthe character described in which provision is made fora common springdevice for retracting a plurality of coin ejector devices to theinoperative position thereof after said coin ejectors have beenindividually utilized to eject coins from the associated coin wells.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration ofthe following specification taken in connection with the appendeddrawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated forcarrying out the invention.

In the drawings:-

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a combination bill fold and coin holderpursuant to the present invention;

' FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the combined article;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the inner surface of the cover for the coinholder;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1; the billfold being shown in its open condition released from the coin holder;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view partially in section and illustrates thecoin ejector being utilized to eject a coin from the associated well;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view and illustrates the insertionof a coin into the coin holder;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the coin holder and bill fold in theopen condition thereof;

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of the article shown in the conditionthereof illustrated in FIGURE 8 with a portion being sectioned forpurposes of illustration and with the bill fold being shown in partiallyexploded relation;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 8; and

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary sectional view and illustrates the manner inwhich bills are mounted in the bill fold.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown a combinationarticle 10 pursuant to the present invention comprising a combinationcoin holder and bill fold. The coin holder is generally indicated by thereference numeral 12 and the bill fold is generally indicated by thereference numeral 14.

The coin holder 12 comprises, as here shown, a receptacle or base 16 anda cover 18 therefor. The receptacle and the cover are each formed of asuitable material tacle is provided also with the opposing side walls2224 and the opposing end walls 26-28. As here shown, the side wall 22is recessed as at 30 and 32 and the side wall 24 is recessed as at 34,36 and 38. Each of the side walls is also provided with a vertical slot40 which extends downwardly from each of the recessed portions thereofas best illustrated in FIGURE 2. Each of the side walls is provided atsaid recessed portion thereof with an inner hemispherical surfaceportion 42. Provision is also made in the receptacle 16 for thehemispherical inner wall portions 44 and 46 thereof which confront thepreviously mentioned hemispherical surfaces 42 to define the circularcoin wells 48 and 50. Similarly, the opposite side wall 24 is providedwith three hemispherical inner wall portions 52, 54 and 56 respectivelywhich confront the associated hemispherical wall portions 42 of the sidewall 24 respectively to define the circular coin wells 58, 60 and 62respectively. The spacing between the tops of wall portions 44, 46, 52,54 and 56 and associated ribs 88 and (hereinafter described in detail)is less than thickness of any coin yet sufiicient to permit an ejector(hereinafter described) to contact the coin. It prevents inserted coinfrom being pushed over said walls and provides guidance for coin-s enroute in or out of the coin wells. The diameter of the Well 48 isgreater than the diameter of the wells 60 and 62 and the diameter of thewell 50 is greater than the diameter of the well 48. In the arrangementand dimensions of the wells shown in FIGURE 3, the wells 58 and 62 areadapted to receive subway tokens or dimes, the well 60', receivespennies, the well 48 is adapted to receive nickels and the well 50 isadapted to receive quarters. However, it will be understood, that thedimension of the various wells may be changed so that any desiredarrangement of coins or tokens may be received thereby. It is within thescope of the present invention, if desired, to provide wells which areall of the same diameter, so that all of the wells would be adapted toreceive subway tokens or if desired one particular coin denomination orany desired arrangement of wells may be provided to secure any desiredarrangement for storing coins of any desired denomination. In addition,as here shown, the bottom wall 28 mounts three screws or bolts 64 forsecuring the cover 18 to the receptacle 16 as hereinafter described indetail. As best seen in FIGURE 5, a volute spring 66 is disposed withineach coin well, the large diameter end of the spring being seated on theupper surface of the bottom wall 20. A disc-shaped follower 68 is seatedat the upper narrow diameter end of each spring 66- withtin theassociated coin well. The disc is grooved at the lower surface thereofas at 70 so as to receive the upper spring spiral.

The cover 18 overlies all of the coin wells which are defined in thereceptacle 16 and is also provided with means for individually ejectingor removing the various coins or tokens from each of the wells. Morespecifically, the cover 18 is also formed of a suitable plastic or othersuitable material preferably by a molding operation. The cover 18 isconstituted by a relatively flat planar portion 72 from which theredepends three integral fingers 74 as here shown. Each finger '74 isprovided at the free end thereof with a bore 76. The previouslymentioned screws 74 are threaded into the bores 76 so as to therebysecure the cover in position on the receptacle 16 as best shown inFIGURE 5. However. it will be understood that in lieu of the screws 64any other suitable means may be utilized to secure the cover 18 inposition on the receptacle 16. Overlying each of the coin wells, thecover 18 is provided with a recessed portion 78 which defines a thinwall portion 89 which as best shown in FIGURE 5 has an upper surface 82which is offset downwardly from the major upper surface portion of thefiat portion 72 but which has a lower wall portion 84 which is in thesame plane as the balance of the lower surface of the cover portion 72.Each thin wall portion 80 is provided. with a slot 86. Each slot 86 isstraddled by a pair of integral parallel ribs 88-9tl which are providedon the lower or inner surface of the cover and extend from each thinWall portion 89 rearwardly into the cover. At the forward portionthereof each of the ribs is provided with an arcuate curvature 92 asbest seen in FIG- URES 5 and 6. As best seen in FIGURES 2, 5 and 6, thecompanion ribs for each coin well serve as detents against which theuppermost coin in a stack of coins within the well is biased by theassociated spring 66. For example, as best shown in FIGURE 5 a stack ofcoins which is generally indicate-d by the reference numeral 94 isseated on the disc or follower 68 in the coin well .60. The spring 66within said coin well 60 biases the stack upwardly so that the uppermostcoin in the stack which is identified by the reference numeral 96 isbiased into engagement with the associated pair of ribs 88 and 9%).These ribs perform the functions: permit easy insertion of coins (ashereinafter described), provide a channel or space for the ejector,guide and steady the ejector, and permit the incorporation of thesecured top cover into the overall design. The cover may be embellishedand otherwise provides a more finished and attractive appearance than isthe case where coin wells open directly on top of the casing. Each coinwell is provided with an associated opening 98 in the associated sidewall 22 or 24 as the case may be. Said opening is defined by therecessed portion in the associated side wall and the overlying thin wallportion 80 of the cover. For example, as shown in FIGURE 5, the coinWell 60 has a coin opening 98 defined by the recessed portion 36 of sidewall 24 of the receptacle 16 and the overlying thin portion 80 of thecover 18. It will be noted that the coin opening 98 for each well sinceit extends above the, recessed portion of the associated side wallpermits the uppermost coin 96 in the stack to move outwardly of theassociated coin well through the associated side 'wall as illustrated inFIGURE 6 when the uppermost coin 96 is.moved in the direction of thearrow 100. In order to permit for the ejection or discharge of the coinsfrom the associated coin wells, provision is made for a coin ejector 102for each coin well. Each coin ejector 102 comprises a body portion 104provided at one end thereof with a depending tail 106 and provided atthe other end thereof with a forwardly projecting knurled integralfinger portion 108. It will be noted from FIG- URES 5 and 6 that thefingerpiece 108 extends into the companion slot 86 so that thefingerpiece projects through the cover 18 and is accessible externallyof the cover as best shown in FIGURE 1. Moreover, it will be noted thatthe flat cover portion72 is welled out as at 110 (FIG- URES 4 and 6) sothat the body portion 1040f the ejector can reciprocate and be firmlyguided between the retracted position thereof illustrated in FIGURE 5and the projected position thereof illustrated in FIGURE 6. When theejector is moved forward the top surface of portion 104 is in the sameplane as wall 80 and provides the illusion of a continuous surface anddoes not permit a hole or depression to show during operation of theejector. The ejector is provided with an ejection surface 112 which inthe retracted position of the fingerpiece is spaced from the uppermostcoin 26 in the stack 94. However, as the fingerpiece is moved in the,direction of the arrow 100, the ejection surface 112 engages theuppermost coin 96 and ejects or movesthe latter through the associatedcoin opening 98 of the associated coin well. Provision is made for agenerally serpentine leaf spring 114 which is mounted within thereceptacle 16 and which, as best shown in FIGURE 3 is in engagement witheach of the tails 106 provided on the coin ejectors 102. When theejectors are in retracted or inoperative disposition thereof illustratedin FIGURE 5 it will be understood that the depending tails thereof donot stress the leaf spring 114. However, as best shown in FIGURE 6 whenthe ejector is moved in the direction of the arrow 1%, the associateddepending tail thereof stresses the portion of the leaf spring which isengaged thereby. Consequently, it will be understood that after a coinhas been ejected from the coin box, as shown in FIGURE 6 and the ejectorfingerpiece 108 is released, the stressed spring 114 will be operativeto return the ejector to the retracted or inoperative dispositionthereof.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that each stack of coins94 in its associated coin well is constantly biased upwardly toward thecover 18 so that the uppermost coin 96 abuts the associated pair of ribs88 and 90. Each time that the associated ejector 102 is operated fromthe retracted position thereof illustrated in FIGURE 5 to the projectedposition thereof illustrated in FIGURE 6, the uppermost coin 96 is movedoutwardly through the associated coin slot 98 in the associated sidewall of the coin box. The associated ejector is then automaticallyretracted by the spring 114 and when the ejector is fully returned tothe retracted position thereof, the volute spring 66 in the associatedwell is operative to' move the stack upwardly so that the now uppermostcoin abuts the associated ribs. Afterthe last coin in the stack has beenejected, it Will be understood that the associated coin disc 68 abutsthe associated pair of ribs. It will be noted that in the retractedposition of the ejector 102, the free end 116 of the fingerpiece 108overlies the associated thin wall portion 89 of the cover. During themovement of the ejector to and from its projected position, it will beapparent that the fingerpiece rides on the upper surface of the thinwall portion 80.

The number of coins in any coin well may be readily ascertained frommerely observing the slot 40 for the respective coin well. As bestillustrated in FIGURE 2, the coin in any stack 94 in a coin well mayreadily be observed through the slot 40. When all the coins have beendispensed from a particular'coin well, a new stack of coins may readilybe inserted therein. As best illustrated in FIGURE 7, the coin box maybe readily reloaded by inserting a coin through the coin slot 98. Thecoin will be guided into position by the curved or cam portion 92 on theassociated ribs 88 and 90. As the coin is moved relative to the cam 92,it engages the underlying follower 68 and moves the latter downwardlyagainst the bias of the spring 66 so that sufficient clearance isprovided between the follower and the overlying ribs to permit for thefull insertion of the first coin of the stack into the well in positionon the follower 68.. Thereafter, succeeding coins may be inserted intothe coin slot 98 and similarly cammed against the cam 92 for insertionin overlying relationship onto the upper surface of a previouslyinserted coin until the complete stack of coins is inserted into thewell. Insertion is accomplished with one motion and it is not necessaryto press the stack of coins down with one finger in order to make roombetween top coin and lower surface of the top of the coin well, as inprior art devices.

Pursuant to the present invention, the coin ,box or coin holder 12 isprovided with a bill fold 14. As here shown, the bill fold 14 comprisesan open box-like receptacle .118 which is preferably molded from asuitable plastic or other material suitable for the purpose. Thereceptacle 118 is provided with a rear wall 120 from which there extendsopposing integral side walls 122 and 124 and opposing integral end walls126 and 128. The side wall 124 is pivotally secured to the coin holderreceptacle 16 as by the pivots 130 which may be an integrally formedplastic. A partition member 132 is mounted on the inner surface of thebottom wall 120 in spaced relation thereto by means of the spacerelements 134 to which the partition member 132 of the screws 136threaded into said spacer elements. Said spacer element must be soplaced that the wad of billswill sit well within them and parallel towalls 126 and 128. If said spacers are situated within the widthwisedimension of the bills, the wallet will not close as the spacers willimpinge on the folded wad of bills because the thickness of the billsplus the depth of the spacer may exceed the available depth of bill fold14. As shown herein, the spacers do not limit the bill capacity of thewallet or bill fold.

The partition member is provided with a preferably integral tab 138 andwith a superimposed element 140 which is suitably secured thereto alongthree marginal edges thereof to define a pocket 142 which is open at thetop thereof. The partition member 132 is provided also with a flapextension 144 which is secured along the bottom edge thereof to the coinbox receptacle 16 as by means of the screws 146. Consequently, it willbenoted that the flap is unsecured at the corner 150 thereof. The pocket142 may be utilized for cards, stamps or any other suitable item. Inorder to insert a bill 152 into the bill fold 14, the partition member132 may be tilted relative to the wall 120 of the bill fold receptacle118 so that one end of the bill 152 may be inserted into the receptacle118 behind the partition member 132 as best shown in FIG- URE 11. Itwill be noted with one end of the bill inserted into the bill foldreceptacle, the other end of the bill will lie flat against the innersurface of the flap 144 so that the other end of the bill may be foldedover the flap 144 along the fold line 154 thereof. The bill fold maythen be closed by bringing together the bill fold receptacle 118 and thecoin box receptacle 16 as indicated by the arrow 156 in FIGURE 11 or bythe arrow 158 in FIGURE 9. When it is desired to remove a bill from thebill fold, the bill fold and coin holder are separated as shown inFIGURE 8 wherein the bill fold is shown in its open condition and theflap 144 may be readily turned downwardly as shown in FIGURE 8 so as topermit for the ready withdrawal of the 'bill from the bill foldreceptacle 118. In order to releasably secure the bill fold in theclosed or folded position thereof, provision is made for a releasablelocking means comprising a detent 160 provided on the coin receptacle 16and a companion locking element 162 which is provided on the bill foldreceptacle and which may be moved into releasable snap engagement withthe detent 160.

The open end feature of the wallet, illustrated in FIG- URE 8, providesthe following advantages: (A) Easier counting, the wad of billsextending clear of and not being encumbered by the wallet casing, can beriflled and observed or counted as you would a deck of cards; (B)

Easier insertion and withdrawal can be accomplished in a sidewise and asemi-sidewise motion in addition to the ordinary straight up and downprocedure of prior art wallets which afford access from only onedirection; and (C) More compact size because folding the bills inthirds, rather than halves, reduces overall dimensions, and additionalmaneuvering space for bills is available outside of the wallet throughits open end so that the wallet need not be enlarged to provide suchspace in the interior thereof.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that there is provided,pursuant to the present invention, a highly novel combined coin holderand bill fold. It will be understood that various changes andmodifications may be made therein without however departing from thebasic inventive concept thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A coin dispenser comprising a coin receptacle, a cover for saidreceptacle, means defining a plurality of coin wells in said receptacle,a coin slot provided in said receptacle for each coin well through whichcoins may be ejected from the associated Wells, an ejector for each wellmounted on said cover for movement to and from retracted and projectedpositions thereof to eject a coin during movement from its retracted toits projected position, and common spring means for locking each ejectorin position with respect to its associated well and for returning all ofsaid ejectors to the retracted position thereof. n 2. A coin dispensercomprising a coin receptacle, a cover for said receptacle, meansdefining a plurality of coin wells in said receptacle, a coin slotprovided in said receptacle for each coin well through which coins maybe ejected from the associated wells, an ejector for each well mountedon said cover for movement to and from retracted and projected positionsthereof to eject a coin during movement from its retracted to itsprojected position, and common spring means for returning all of saidejectors to the retracted position thereof, each of said ejectors havinga tail depending into said receptacle from said cover, and said commonspring means being a serpentine spring engaged by all of said tails,whereby said spring means is operable to releasably dispose each ejectorrelative to its associated well.

3. A coin dispenser comprising a coin receptacle, a cover for saidreceptacle, means defining a plurality of coin wells in said receptacle,a coin slot provided in said receptacle for each coin well through whichcoins may be ejected from the associated wells, an ejector for each wellmounted on said cover for movement to and from retracted and projectedpositions thereof to eject a coin during movement from its retracted toits projected position, each of said Wells having a spring biasedfollower for moving the topmost coin of a stack of coins provided in theassociated well into a position to be ejected from the associated coinslot, and fixed means for camming inserted coins into stacked relationon each follower through the associated coin slot against the bias ofthe associated follower, said fixed means comprising downwardlyextending protuberances, overlying each well and, forming cam meanstherefor.

4. A coin dispenser comprising a coin receptacle, a cover for saidreceptacle, means defining a plurality of coin .wells in saidreceptacle, a coin slot provided in said receptacle for each coin wellthrough which coins may be ejected from the associated wells, an ejectorfor each well mounted on said cover for movement to and from retractedand projected positions thereof to eject a coin during movement from itsretracted to its projected position, each of said wells having a springbiased follower for moving the topmost coin of a stack of coins providedin the associated well into a position to be ejected from the associatedcoin slot, and means for guiding inserted coins into stacked relation oneach follower through the associated coin slot again-st the bias of theassociated follower, said guide means comprising cam means overlyingeach coin well, said cam means being provided on guide ribs for theassociated ejector said ribs being provided in fixed relation on theinner surface of said cover.

5. A coin dispenser comprising a coin receptacle, a cover for saidreceptacle, means defining a plurality of coin wells in said receptacle,a coin slot provided in said receptacle for each coin well through whichcoins may be ejected from the associated Wells, an ejector for each wellmounted on said cover for movement to and from retracted and projectedpositions thereof to eject a coin during movement from its retracted toits projected position, and common spring means for locking each ejectorin position with respect to its associated well and for returning all ofsaid ejectors to the retracted position thereof, each of said wellshaving a spring biased follower for moving the topmost coin of a stackof coins provided in the associated well into a position to be ejectedfrom the associated coin slot, and fixed means for camming insertedcoins into stacked relation on each follower through the associated coinslot against the bias of the associated follower.

6. A coin dispenser Comprising a coin receptacle, a cover for saidreceptacle, means defining a plurality of coin Wells in said receptacle,a coin slot provided in said receptacle for each coin Well through whichcoins may be ejected from the associated wells, an ejector for each wellmounted on said cover for movement to and from retracted and projectedpositions thereof to eject a coin during movement from its retracted toits projected position, each of said Wells having a spring'biasedfollower for moving the topmost coin of a stack of coins provided in theassociated Well into a position to be ejected from the associated coinslot, and means for guiding inserted coins into stacked relation on eachfollower through the associated coin slot, against the bias of theassociated follower, said guide means comprising cam means overlyingeach coin Well, said cam means being provided in fixed relation on theinner surface of said cover, the cam means for each well constituting aguide means for the associated ejector during the movement thereof..

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Read 150-37Thurston 150-37 Hill 15 038 Wentz 15038 Willis 150-.-37

Guenther 150-37 Kusel V 206-83 Weimer 15037 Bouchard 221-232 Forsyth206583 Cowan' 150?46 Becker 133-6 GEORGE O. RALSTON, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner.

1. A COIN DISPENSER COMPRISING A COIN RECEPTACLE, A COVER FOR SAIDRECEPTACLE, MEANS DEFINING A PLURALITY OF COIN WELLS IN SAID RECEPTACLE,A COIN SLOT PROVIDED IN SAID RECEPTACLE FOR EACH COIN WELL THROUGH WHICHCOINS MAY BE EJECTED FROM THE ASSOCIATED WELLS, AN EJECTOR FOR EACH WELLMOUNTED ON SAID COVER FOR MOVEMENT TO AND FROM RETRACTED AND PROJECTEDPOSITIONS THEREOF TO EJECT A COIN DURING MOVEMENT FROM ITS RETRACTED TOITS PROJECTED POSITION, AND COMMON SPRING MEANS FOR LOCKING EACH EJECTORIN POSITION WITH RESPECT TO ITS ASSOCIATED WELL AND FOR RETURNING ALL OFSAID EJECTORS TO THE RETRACTED POSITION THEREOF.